More random thoughts in my mind

I have been in a strange place lately....A place where I seem to be analyzing and taking everything in a little more than before. I am not sure what it is, but it is as if something just clicked in me and changed me. Every little thing in my life seems to matter a little more and things that are not important I have been trying really hard to let go of. I feel like I love my kids more than I ever have, I ENJOY my time with them 10 times more than I used to, I love being outside simply feeling the wind and the sun on my face, and I appreciate life a lot more lately.
I'm not sure what happened, of course I credit God, maybe He just felt it was time to speak to my heart and remind me how precious my life is. I feel like I have done A LOT of growing up lately. I have surrounded my life with great things and people and have a strong life. I have a handful of friends that I know would do anything for me, and to me that's great! Some people want a million friends so they can feel secure and confident but I have discovered that you do not need a million people in life. The important thing is to fill your life with people you know care and also to reach out to people that really could use a friend too! I have really tried to be a better friend, wife, mother, daughter, sister and even daycare provider because I want the people in my life to feel loved by me!
I am really working on remembering that life is SO short and precious and that each day I am given is a gift and I must choose how I am going to use that gift. I thought when I turned 18, shortly after that got engaged, got married at 19 had children by 21, that I was a grown up....Oh yeah, naturally I am married with kids I MUST be a grown up and know what life is all about right? WRONG!! I have just now reached the point that I feel I am a woman and not a girl. Maybe it's because I am turning 26 and finally hitting the higher part of my 20s and can no longer say I am in my early 20s.;) I know, still so young but let me tell you it's scary to be getting closer and closer to 30. Especially when you feel like you look like you have aged 20 years in the last 5. Having kids tends to age you!;) I was thinking the other day about the time that Jasper and I have been together. I remember when we got married thinking that I knew every little detail about him and that our life would be perfect. There would never be an argument, we would kiss all day for the rest of our lives and our marriage would be perfect 24-7. Well in reality our marriage is perfect because I know we can withstand anything thrown our way! HOWEVER, it is not easy and the reality is, I feel like I am just beginning to know my husband completely. It's another thing that has really been on my mind lately. Just how blessed I am that we are about to spend our 6th wedding anniversary together. Some people search their whole lives for what we have or have it and then tragically lose it in many different circumstances. I take it so for granted. We were laughing and saying how sad it was that for our anniversary, we are going to Reno to spend a night out at a nice dinner while my parents watch the kids however, we will still spend our anniversary night in a hotel room with 4 kids...However that's not sad, it's blessed. The fact is, babies are the season of life we are in, so who better to be there to walk with us through the start of another year of marriage then our babies?
Anyways, this is another one of my rambling post that is really not necessarily anything anyone wants to read about, but this along with being a public blog at the moment (Unless I go private) is also my journal. My life has a lot of private aspects however, there are a lot of things that I like to share so other young women out there can see what another woman goes through in the day to day life! All my thoughts spilled out in the same chaotic way my life takes place! My thoughts are always a little all over the place lol! To be honest my husband always gives me a bad time about how all over the place I am. I will be doing something and then 5 minutes later he walks in and my first task is left undone and I am in the other end of the house doing something else...It's just me, what can I say?!;)
Here is a really bad scanned in photo of me and my love on our wedding day! I can barely believe it will be 6 years next Saturday that we said I DO! I was wedding dress shopping with a friend today and it brought back a flood of memories of my own special day! Little did I think that day almost 6 years ago that my life could be any more blessed than it was at that moment, yet it is!

So anyways , Happy Saturday everyone...my house is getting quite chaotic so I am off to hide oops I mean save the day!;)

3 Month Little Man...

Oh Mr. Caiden....I can't believe I am already writing a 3 month post. Seems like just yesterday I did a 2 month post. You are growing and changing so much each day and I can barely stand it! Although I love to watch you grow and learn each day, the reality that you are my last baby is such a sad thing to face. I LOVE having a baby in the house and it's going to be strange the day you are no longer a baby!
At 3 months you.....
*Weigh FIFTEEN pounds already!! I think you are gonna be a big boy!
*You have found your hands and you are IN LOVE with them!

*You rolled over once from your back to your tummy, however I think it was a fluke so I haven't counted it yet!;)
*You are holding your head up so well
*You can sit in the bumbo chair like a big boy(You requested I get a new one because the one we have is pink)
*You laugh SO much now!
*You love when daddy tickles you under your chin and on your neck.
*You LOVE LOVE LOVE being naked! If you are fussy and I strip you down to your diaper, you are one happy camper!
*You love bath time and think it's funny to pee everytime you are in the bath....I seriously think you aim for me but luckily miss everytime!;)
*You are quite the talker and will coo at mommy for an hour straight!
*You sleep so good at night! (Most nights) 8:30pm to 5:00am usually!

I seriously CAN NOT imagine my life before you Caiden Brian Warren. I think God knows when he plans children for a family, which child will fit which spot in the family. I think he chose you to be our last baby so that you could bring a bright smiling little boy into our life that would forever have a sweet natured spirit to complete our family! You light up our life and complete our family little man! One of the sweetest gifts from God ever! I love you son!:)

Love, Mommy:)

Sanity Saver of the week

Like I have said before, I DO NOT like to spend double the cost to pay for things that are individually packed. We used to waste the money buying snack packs, 100 calorie packs, all of the small sized things to just throw in the bag if we were leaving the house and knew we would need to occupy the kids with a snack...(Never in the car of course, because of course my kids would never eat in the car right?) If you don't get that joke, see previous posts!;) Anyways, anyone that knows me knows that when it comes to things like food, I try to shop very smart! When you have a family of 6 and a daycare to run, food can cost a fortune so you have to shop and think smart! So, now I take all of our common snacks out from the big bags they come in. (Pretzels, cheerios/raisins, cheeze its, gold fish, chex mix, animal cookies, and so on)  I then separate the snacks into ziplocks and then put them in these handy containers!

That way when you are in a hurry, you don't have to put it in a baggy because they are already stock piled, and you don't have to buy the individually wrapped packages because clearly you can do it yourself for half the price! I keep about 6-7 different snacks, ask the kids what they feel like, and toss it in the diaper bag. Also, use a marker and write the date that you bagged it and when it expires so you can keep track! This is something I can do at the same time I cut up all my fruit and then two of my biggest time consuming food tasks are done each week! Easy as can be and saves a ton of time when things are chaotic and saves a bundle of money too!

The night life in the Warren house....

Ok, Ok so it's not so much the "night life" but it's a night in our life... For as long as I could remember we have had nights like last night. Not every night because sometimes we are so very busy that the day melts into the night and before we know it, it's tubby time, story time, bed time and that's when my work begins to get everything done for the next day....BUT, my favorite nights are when we all go into the daycare room (It's like our second family room, only VERY kid centered;) and we PLAY!!! We leave our phones inside, the tv is off, no music just US.....We scream and yell and the girls all tackle daddy while I watch from the sidelines waiting for the first bloody nose or hair pulling episode!;) The night goes on with piggy back rides, tickles, kisses, wrestling and the biggest giggles you have ever heard. It's so simple yet PERFECT!!!! Nothing but my little family, all in one room, all focused on each other, spending time just being us. I must say, being US is a pretty cool thing....These are the moments I live for!

Flying on daddy's feet.....I started this before Peyton was born with my niece and the fun lives on!;))

                Got to love the crazy smile and hair to boot! She is going through that rip your pony tail out stage!

Silly P

            These girls LOVE to gang up on daddy! I can't wait to see Caiden join the mix!

                                     Caiden found it all pretty amusing!

       Me and my ladies....We all look a little rough after a long day of work..I mean play!;)

                                                            Our mad faces:))

Love this of Peyton trying to have a moment yet Jasper and Caiden are so stinkin cute in the back too!:)




Oh and here is one last picture I HAD to post....I will tell you why once you see it....

This was during a game of hide and seek....Sweet sweet Jordyn was certain she had a great spot....Seriously, this picture melts me. Just the thought of how proud she was and thought she wouldn't be found....

There you have it...The "Night Life" in the Warren house! Hope you all have a good night!

This and that...

Not too much to post about however I just felt like blogging today! We had a great weekend in Reno with my family! It was a MUCH needed get away and the FIRST one since we had Caiden! It was nothing short of interesting driving with all 4 kids....Peyton made it until two minutes away from the house and her car sickness had finally got the best of her....Luckily we are beyond prepared for that these day and had her "puke bucket" ready in tow!;) Our car looked like we were going for a week for one night....It takes A LOT to take 4 kids under 5 somewhere! I needed out though, so it was super nice to get away for the night!
It was a special trip to...We were there to watch my dad get baptized and it was an amazing thing! It was so touching to see over 30 people get baptized and start a new walk with the Lord! I myself have not been baptized and it took me time to learn and grow and be ready to fully understand the commitment it is, and I can't wait! Hopefully we will talk to our church staff soon and schedule it! I also want to have the kids dedicated since they have never been!:)
The last few days I have reflected a lot on who I am and my feelings on a lot of things. It's funny how one person putting you down, can cause that...(Hence why I REALLY need to finish reading my copy of So Long Insecurity By Beth Moore) I know that I should not let people get to me and remember that for every person that just plain doesn't like me, there will be one that does, but it's hard!! I am a very sensitive person (although I act tough most of the time) and I love to love people! It drives me CRAZY if someone doesn't like me because I truly love to get along with everyone. Life's too short not to. I know I need to get over it and realize the world is not all candy canes and gum drops and some people just don't see me the way I wish they would. Again, it's hard. SO anyways, I have really tried to take inventory on myself and the people in my life and plan to really work on showing people grace and understanding even when it's hard.
Life would be so simple if everyone just acted like children....They see life so simple yet amazing and full of promise. Everyday that I get up and feel too exhausted to even start my day, I see those beautiful smiles from my children (and my daycare children) and it keeps me going! My job may be one of the most exhausting jobs ever, but it's so rewarding when I see the love in each and every one of the children's eyes, and know I helped them grow and learn a little more that day! I mean, look at this smile, how could I not smile back?

OH....Here are some cute pictures of the kids still passed out in the hotel room after not sleeping much the whole night...GUess it got to them by morning time!

                         He turned himself sideways he was so restless....

                                                          Out like a light...

 Poor Peyton shared a bed with Reagan who did NOT sleep good and kept us all awake.

                    The culprit of our sleepless night.....Looking quite guilty if you ask me...;)

Sanity saver of the week

Well, I'm a few days late but I couldn't possibly not give a sanity saver of the week...I mean, I'm on a roll!;)
This is something I am sure a lot of other moms do out there, and let me just say, there have been a few times this tip really has saved my sanity!

I despise being out somewhere and discovering that I either
A) Forgot the diaper bag
B) do not have what I need in the diaper bag
C)Have the bag, have what I need IN the bag, however a sippy cup has spilled on the diapers and they are destroyed... (You get the idea)

So, I created a bag for each of our cars and the bag never leaves the car. I keep it in the very back and the kids can't get to it to pull things out, and I always know right where it is. In this bag I have the following...

*One outfit for each of my kids (Underwear included for the girls because when you are fully trained by 2 you may still have an accident when your well lets just say, at the park;))
*Diapers
*Wipes
*Bottled water
*Snacks that wont melt (I have some of those pb and cheddar cracker packs)
*A few wash cloths
*Sunscreen
*Sanitizing wipes
*A shirt for myself
*Some hair ties (A MUST with girls)
*A few books in case the girls need something to occupy them.

I think there are a few other things but I'm not sure. Like I said, I know a lot of other moms probably do this too. There have been a few times it has come so in handy because we wouldn't realize the wipes in the diaper bag were empty. Or we wouldn't remember water for Caiden's bottle or we just plain would be in such a hurry and think it was going to be a quick trip and wouldn't grab the diaper bag, then when we ended up out longer we needed a diaper....Poop happens:)

If you are a mom that does this too, I would love more tips on things you keep in your bags that come in handy!!

Mother's Day and other thoughts from a rambling mommy...

      Well, I would love to say that we had some big huge Mother's Day celebration in which I was treated like a queen being handed fresh blended margaritas and being fanned with palm leaves....However, Mother's Day was pretty simple around here. (Besides, my awesome hubby spoils me every day of the year anyways!);) I actually spent the entire day deep cleaning my house, organizing and prepping daycare curriculum...I know I am lame!;) I did however fit in a nice relaxing bath, a phone chat with my mom and the kids each made me a precious canvas with their hand and foot print....Daddy made me my favorite egg white, spinach and mushroom omelet for breakfast YUM! He took the kids to the park to let me have me time and came back with roses and a balloon picked by my littles and then made me some yummy salmon for dinner! I could complain that it wasn't fancy, but when I went to bed that night, I realized, this may not be the life some would dream of, but it's MY life and MY dream come true...
      Last week was a hard week for me. My family lost a very dear friend (Not to mention I will never get to enjoy my tax appointments again...YES, I had an accountant that made you enjoy getting your taxes done!:)) I honestly am surprised how hard his death shook me..It opened my eyes a whole lot more. I think part of it was realizing Randy was only the age of my own father not to mention one of the most amazing friends my dad had ever had and watching my dad process it has been tough.
     In all of this I realized though, after the rain the sun always comes out...It may take it's sweet time, it may be one heck of a storm first, and it make shake your home to the core, but the sun ALWAYS comes out again. Because God has new mercy everyday and God can comfort even in the hardest of times.  The last week I have spent more time than ever hugging my children and just staring at them and memorizing their faces. Their sweet smiles, laughs, the things they say. Everything about them because I can't imagine not seeing them each day. At one point I was staring at Reagan yesterday and she said "mommy what are you doing" in the cutest Reagan voice. I told her I was remembering her beautiful smile so when she gets older I can think of her just like that still. She grabbed my cheeks and kissed me then said "mommy I want to member your pretty eyes, what kind of eyes do you got mommy?" LOL. That's how she always asks what color someones eyes are. "What kind of eyes you have" she says.;) It just melted me. I am trying to focus more on letting things go and just BEING....Just being still, calm, content, in love with my family and my God. An easier thing said than done for me I always go go go and have to be cleaning something, fixing something, cooking something, baking something, calling someone, typing something ALWAYS something. Now, I am trying to cherish the moments I spend on the floor tickling my kids, listening to their laughs (or Caiden's coos) chasing them in the yard, singing and dancing with them...All the things I was doing with them each day but not being as present as I did them. I want to dance and laugh and smile and love like each day is my last!

      Sorry I kind of rambled on in this post but after all that's what a blog is for right? All my thoughts poured out as a way I can process them. So I leave you with some pictures from Mother's Tea at Peyton's Pre-School (such a WONDERFUL moment I got to spend with her after a tough morning!!) also some pictures from Mother's day...I seriously was in my jammies all day till I got dressed just to take a few "First Mother's Day as a mom of FOUR" pictures...Hey the day was about me right? I had a right to be lazy! Not to mention I was a little sad I couldn't get to Reno to spend it with my sister or my own mother. Mother's Day is always tough for my mom because the week before Mother's Day 26 years ago is when her mother (her adoptive mother, the one who raised her from birth) passed away and they layed her to rest the day before Mother's Day when she was also 9 months pregnant with me. Now tell me my mom is not a strong lady!! So, I love you mom and I know how proud your mom must be looking down on you now! Oh oops....rambled again...On to the pictures!

Mother's Tea at Joyful Noise! My precious P is too cute! Excuse the fact I am a hot mess! Note to self, do NOT go straight to a Mother's Tea from a memorial service. No matter how happy a celebration of life is supposed to be, you will still cry....

Yep...all 4 of these precious little loves are MINE!!! Thank you God for such amazing children!

                                              My silly silly love bugs!!:))

My first Mother's Day with a little BOYYYYYY! Still shocks me each day that I have a SON!

Daddy had to get in on a few pictures...The other 2 kids were too busy running around the yard!;) These 2 are daddy's little clones! They look just like him!

I hope all of you mommies had a wonderful Mother's Day and were spoiled by your sweet little ones!!